Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1887-08-31
MUSIC HATH CHARMS,
How Jespcr vliet Captivated . Band o
Savages with His Songs.

Savages with HIS Songs
When Jesper Vliet, whose father was
one of Milwaukee's pioneers, was boy
of fourteen. he shot wolf under rather
thrilling circumstances. Some time
after his adventure with the wolf he
participated in another with the In
dams. While leaning upon the fence
about his fathers house one evening a
savage came up the road and addressed
him in broken English. His appear
ance denoted long travel, and when he
said that he came all the way from
Canada the boy did not doubt it. His
moccasins were torn so that the toes
protruded, his leggins were torn aud
encrusted with mud. There was that.
however, in his mien that betrayed the
chief. There was an encampment Of
Indians some five miles to the north
west, and this he was in search of.
Young Vliet offered to guide him to the
lodges, and the two set out together,
but not until the boy had brought the
wanderer cup of fresh milk and slice
OF johnny-cake from the house. In the
route they passed the swail where Vliet
had shot the wolf, and the boy related
the adventure to his companion.
On arriving at the encampmeut or
planting ground, " the boy saw at once
that the stranger was q chief of great
renown and that unusual ceremonies
were about to be performed in his
honor. Young Vliet was anxious to
get away, but the Indians would not
permit it. They passed him the "kin-
ne-kin-nick" to smoke. The squaws
offered him venison, and taking his
seat outside the circle Of warriors, he
became silent spectator of the pro-
ceedings.
They smoked in silence, not simulta-
neously, but consecutively, the pipe be-
ing passed from mouth to mouth in
order of rank, the distinguished guest
being allowed to inhale the precious
weed first. At length the chief rose.
and with him the assembly, and then
commenced wild scene of rejoicing.
Each of the men, Selling brand from
the fire, Hourished it over his head,
joining in wild dance, shouting in a
terrific manner.
However exciting this display, 1t soon
became wearisome to Vliet, and he
made another attempt to leave the
camp. The Indians endeavored, in
their limited English, to persuade him
To stav. One savage said:
"Makee tay with warrior and shoot
wolf"
But the boy preferred to shoot wolves
about the settlement, and replied that
he would not go with them.
"Makee gor' said the Indian, with
much meaning, at which young Vliet
laughed in an incredulous manner.
mot want shoot wolff"
Eyes, but my father wants me home
again"
1t was evident from. this that the
stranger had told them of his prowcss
with the gray wolf, and also that it was
their intention TO retain him In their
band il possible. Another savage
tempted him by description Of the
Butte des Morris Lake. where they in
tended to remove their encampment.
But their persuasions were Of no effect.
As a last inducement one of the squaws
sang him song in no siren voice, ac-
companying herself on gourd. This
touched Vliet's pride, and, having fine
voice, he proposed to sing himself, II
only to show them that they knew
nothing about the art The rude beings
gathered around, and the boy, placed
on log, with the glare Of their fires
lighting up his form and features, pro-
ceeded to sing for them In clear,
musical voice the time-honored strains
of "Auld Lang Syne."
He saw that they were pleased, and,
though no applause followed except the
characteristic cough and the senten-
tious good by the chief, he felt en-
couraged to make another exhibition of
his vocal powers. He then sang THE
Harp that Once Through Tara's Halls"
The savages listened as though SPELL
bound. When he had concluded the
men took up their torches, and one Of
them signified that he might 60 now,
and they would accompany him. This
they did, escorting him to his fathers
gate with torches, making the first
torchlight procession that had probably
ever passed over the soil In honor Of q
white being. - iltbdukee Se,,tjnek .